Web-guiding apparatus

ABSTRACT

Web-guiding apparatus having a plurality of pairs of web stretching slats supported across the peripheries of disks for rotation about a shaft, wherein the slats are independently movable longitudinally of the shaft. A cam follower is mounted under each slat at each end of each pair of slats and projects inwardly. Feelers sense deviations of the edges of the web from predetermined locations defining a passage for the web. A pair of circumferential cams are mounted one on each portion of the shaft, each cam having an inclined circumferential channel for receiving a cam follower and for defining a range of positions for the cam follower longitudinal of the axis of the shaft. The cams are independently rotatable in response to the feelers such that the slats are movable through the range of positions to restore the edges of the web to the predetermined locations.

United States Patent 1 Meneo 1 Apr. 17, 1973 1 WEB-GUIDING APPARATUS Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles 7 inventor; Pasquale Meneo, S7 Lakeview Ave- Delio et nue, Hamden, Conn. 06514 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1971 Appl. No.: 212,210

Web-guiding apparatus having a plurality of pairs of web stretching slats supported across the peripheries of disks for rotation about a shaft, wherein the slats are independently movable longitudinally of the shaft. A cam follower is mounted under each slat at each end of each pair of slats and projects inwardly. Peelers sense deviations of the edges of the web from predetermined locations defining a passage for the web. A pair of circumferential cams are mounted one on each portion of the shaft, each cam having an inclined circumferential channel for receiving a cam follower and for defining a range of positions for the cam follower longitudinal of the axis of the shaft. The cams are independently rotatable in response to the feelers such that the slats are movable through the range of positions to restore the edges of the web to the predetermined locations.

12 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 7 I973 sum 1 UF 4 INVENTOR Pas guoka Maneo BY p0) M TTORN "YS PATENTEDAPR 1 7 I973 sum 2 [IF 4 INVENTOR IIIIIIIIIIEIII' W 4! I mm PAIENTEDA'PR 1 mm 3, 5

SHEET 3 [IF 4 INVENTOR Pasguode, Meneo PATENTEI] APR] 71973 SHEET 0F 4 INVENTOR O m m W @W M@ 5 V M p w @WV WEB-GUIDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improved web-guiding apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in slattype web expanding apparatus whereby'such apparatus will automatically guide a web along a predetermined path.

In textile finishing operations, or in plastic film processing, for example, it is conventional to pass the web of cloth, plastic film or other material over rolls for the purpose of eliminating wrinkles, pleats or the like in the web, and otherwise to insure a uniform width and other surface characteristics of the web. Typical of apparatus which achieves this result is the slat expander wherein a plurality of slats are circumferentially arranged to rotate about a shaft, the slats being split midway and being movable in a reciprocating manner longitudinal of the axis of the shaft, in response to cams activated by the rotating shaft. Usually, the effect is to cause the slats to move outwardly as the web contacts their surfaces such that the web is expanded laterally. Typical of such apparatus and devices are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,275,368, 1,525,427,

' 1,642,496, 1,799,603 and 2,969,578.

While such slat expanders are sometimes described as guiding devices,.this description does not include the ability of effectively aligning the web so that it moves through a predetermined passage. Guiding in the sense of aligning is especially important in operations where the web is to be moved through stations where uniform treatment or application of a chemical over the entire width of the web is desired; Should the web enter the station out of alignment with the rolls which move the web or with the associated apparatus which is to process the web at the station, lack of uniform treatment of the web will result or the treatment will miss a portion of the web surface. Proper alignment is also important for uniform takeup of the finished web on the rolls at the end of the finishing operation.

Even in those instances where the known web expanding devices provide some degree of alignment in the sense described above, the expansion normally occurs at each edge of the web at the same time and consequently the web as a whole cannot be guided to one side or the other of a predetermined passage, nor can one edge of the web be guided independently of the other edge. When a moving web thus moves off center or out of alignment, it must be corrected immediately in order to avoid damage to the web and interruption of the processing operations. It is therefore common to station an operator near the moving web so that he can manually correct the alignment of the web. This adds to the expense of the operation and often does not p'rovide the efficiency of mechanical movements.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for guiding a web wherein the edges of the web may be guided in the same direction so that the web as a whole can be aligned. Another object is to provide new and improved web guiding apparatus which is automatically responsive to deviation of either edge of a web from a predetermined path.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for aligning a moving web in a predetermined path at any desired point in a web finishing operation, including takeup on a web storage roll.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the specification which follows.

In summary outline, the web guiding apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of pairs of slats supported across the peripheries of disks for rotation therewith about a shaft, a cam follower mounted under each slat, sensing means adapted to sense deviations of the edges of the web from predetermined locations which define a passage for the web, and a pair of circumferential cams carried on the shaft, wherein each cam has a circumferential inclined channel for receiving a cam follower, the channels being so inclined that a range of positions for the cam follower longitudinal of the axis of the shaft is defined, and wherein each cam is rotatable in response to sensing by the sensing means, such that the slatsare movable by the cam followers through the range of positions to restore the edges of the web to the predetermined locations.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

FIG. 1 is a partly schematic side view of several rolls in a web processing system together with centrally positioned web guiding apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly schematic top view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partly schematic, frontal view of apparatus of the invention with portions broken away to show underlying structure;

FIG. 4 is a partly schematic, side view of apparatus of the invention, taken from the right end of FIG. 3 and somewhat enlarged;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section along the line 55 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section along the line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a portion of FIG. 3, substantially reduced in size;

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of one embodiment of circumferential cam portion of apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of the circumferential cam portion of FIG. 8 when rotated FIG. 10 is a top view of a slat portion of the apparatus of the invention, approximately of the scale of FIG. 3;

FIG. I l is a horizontal section along the line 1lll of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, partly schematic, frontal view of a portion of apparatus of the invention showing another embodiment of cam mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a vertical section along the line 1313 of FIG. 12 with some portions shown schematically;

FIG. 14 is a frontal view, similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, showing still another embodiment of circumferential cam portion of the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of a portion of sensing means of the invention.

With respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a typical web processing operation, a web 21 passes from a supply or other roll 22 to a slat expander roll 23 and then to another roll in the system such as a takeup roll 24. Guide rolls, such as rolls 25 and 26, may be provided at any desirable point for control of feed and slack. The slat expander roll 23 is carried on a horizontal frame member such as table 27 and is supported thereon by a pair of upstanding vertical members such as arms 28. The roll assembly or system described is but one of many possibilities wherein the apparatus of the invention, primarily comprising the slat expander roll 23 and associated structure, would be useful.

With respect to FIGS. l-9, a pair of vertical arms 28 affixed to frame 27 support a rotatable shaft 31, the shaft 31 being received in a pair of bosses 31a. A yoke or pair of hangers 32, fixedly positioned on bosses 31a by split bindings 32a, support a rod 33 parallel to roll '23. A pair of valves 34 are slidably mounted on the extremities of the rod 33, each valve having a microvariable control rod 34a for control of actuation. The plunger of the valve terminates in a pair of feeler fingers 35 having a center line 35a.

A drive for the shaft 31 is provided in the form of a cylinder, such as an air actuated cylinder 36, suitably supported one on each of the hangers 32. The air cylinders drive the shaft 31 through a collar 37 affixed to the shaft, a piston rod 38, and suitable linkage connecting the collar and the piston rod. Rotation of the shaft 31 by the cylinder 36 is limited to a range of angular positions as will be explained below.

The valves 34 are each carried on a lead screw journalled in the rod 33 and having opposite hands at each end, for movement of the valves 34 along the rod in opposite directions, as by cranks 42. In this manner the apparatus of the invention may be adapted to webs of different widths.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, the slats of the expander roll 23 conventionally comprise pairs of movable slats 43 placed approximately end to end across the peripheries of support disks 45. Since during certain operations of the apparatus the slats 43 will be separated in the center of the roll by a space, it is conventional to provide a series of additional slats 44, also mounted upon a disk 45, which slats are fixed to the disk so as not to move laterally. The slats 43 and 44 are fixed to the disks 45 conventionally by studs 46 received in slots 47 in the disks. The disks 45 are fixedly mounted, washerlike, on a sleeve 48 which is provided with suitable antifriction bearings for free rotation about a boss 49. The shaft 31 comprises two independently rotatable portions joined in the center of roll 23 by any suitable means such as a pin 51 loosely journalled in the terminal end 52 of the other portion of the shaft.

In one embodiment of circumferential cams of the invention, a sleeve 53 is mounted on shaft 31 and has an inner face 54 forming a circumferential channel with an inner face 55 ofa similar sleeve 56. The sleeve portions 53 and 56 are made integral with shaft 51 by set screws 57. The channel formed by faces 54 and 55 are inclined or sinuous so that a cam follower such as a roller 59 affixed to lug 46 by a set screw 59, will be displaced over a range of positions longitudinal of the axis of shaft 31. In consequence, the movable slats 43 are reciprocated through distances predetermined by the angle of inclination of the channel defined by the faces 54 and 55.

It will be evident that if shaft 31 is maintained in a fixed position, the slats 43 will reciprocate periodically whether the expansion provided thereby is required or not. A primary aspect of the invention is the variability of the cam action provided by features now to be described, such that the reciprocal movement of the slats 43 is prevented or modified so as to align the web.

To accomplish this result, as is evident with reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the collar 37 affixed to shaft 31 rotates the shaft in response to actuation by cylinder 36 of the piston rod 38. A pin 61 is journalled through a crank 62 which is integral with collar 37. A bracket 63 supports the cylinder 36 on the hanger 32. The shaft 31 is fixed in a boss 64 and this assembly is supported in the arm 28 for rotation therein, as shown in FIG. 5.

Also as illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower end of the yoke 32 is adapted to support a guide roll 26 in similar structure, including a shaft 65 received in a boss 66 for free rotation thereof.

In operation, guide rolls 25 and 26 are disposed relative to slat expander roll 23 such that the web 21 contacts the slats over about one-third of the circumference of roll 23. The sleeves 53 and 56 of the circumferential cams are then set on shaft 31 so that the channel formed by the faces 54 and 55 will rotate through the angular distance defined by the limits of the circumferential contact of the slats with the web. If the limits of contact are one-third the circumference of the roll 23, the maximum angular distance through the cams will rotate will be 120. However, for reasons of convenience in design of the cam, about within the maximum is suitable for the alignments provided by the invention.

This will become evident by consideration of the extent of rotation of shaft 31 and the relative inclination of the channel defined by the faces 54 and 55 of the cam. Accordingly, when a web 21 moves laterally out of alignment with respect to a predetermined path, an edge of the web will contact a feeler finger 35. Upon sensing the misalignment, the feeler finger transmits a force (an electrical impulse, or air or hydraulic pressure, for example) to the valve 34. The valve 34 in turn transmits a driving force to the cylinder 36, and in response thereto, the piston rod 38 then moves the crank 62 to cause rotation of shaft 31. The extent of rotation of shaft 31 is proportionate to the extent of actuation of the feeler finger 35, so that the cam is rotated to the extent and in the direction required to move the slats 43 (and web therewith) for realignment of the web.

While a uniform extent of actuation of the cylinder 36, whereby the cam is rotated from one extreme position to the other (about 90), is a convenient mode of operation, the choice and calibration of sensing valve 34 and cylinder 36 may be such that the extent of rotation of shaft 31 is proportionate to the extent of misalignment of the web. Sensing valves and connecting cylinders are known which will provide this result. A significant advantage of the mode of guiding and alignment provided by the invention is that the restoration of alignment is managed gradually and without any snap action of the slats, such that no wrinkles or other deformations are caused in the web.

With reference to FIGS. and 11, the slats 43 and 44, desirably are provided with means on their surfaces for gripping the web, such as a friction plate 71 having feet 72 and a set screw 73 for tight fixture to the slats.

Another embodiment of circumferential cam mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. With reference thereto, a sleeve 74 fixed in position on shaft 31, as by a set screw 75, is provided with two cam surfaces defining an inclined channel therebetween. One of the surfaces 76 is fixedly mounted on the sleeve 74 whereas the other cam surface 77 has one portion fixed at an angle normal to the axis of shaft 31 and a second portion 78 which is translatable from pivot point 79 from a position complementary to that of portion 77 (normal to the axis of shaft 31) to a position complementary to that of fixed surface 76 (inclined to axis of shaft 31). An arm 81 pivotally connected to a piston rod 82 swings the cam surface portion 78 through the range of positions defined by the position normal to the axis of shaft 31 and the position complementary to the inclination of fixed surface 76.

The piston rod 82 passes through a bore 83 in the sleeve 74 and is actuated 'to the left by a cylinder 84 which may be electrically, air or hydraulically driven. A helical compression spring 85 may be provided on piston rod 82 to assist return of the cam surface portion 78 to the position normal to the axis of shaft 31. The cylinder 84 has a pin 86 connecting it to the collar 87 (which is generally equivalent to collar 28 in FIG. 3). The collar 87 is fixed in position on shaft 31 by a set screw 88.

In this embodiment of the invention, the shaft 31 does not rotate and instead the reciprocal movement of the cam follower rollers 58 is released or interrupted by the return of the cam surface portion 78 to a position normal to the axis of shaft 31. When so moved to the latter position, it will be evident that no cam action against the plate 78 is effected and the slat 43 will not move laterally. However, the cam surface portion 78 is normally in a position complementary with that of cam surface 76 so as to provide cam action resulting from the inclined channel. This cam action, resulting in longitudinal displacement of the slat 43 and stretching of the web, occurs primarily in the circumferential area of the channel defined by the angled cam surface 78 but this is usually sufficient in view of the fact that the web is in contact only with that portion of the circumference of the expander roll 23 corresponding to this region in the circumferential cam.

Upon sensing by the feeler fingers and the communication of this deviation of the web to the cylinder 84, the piston rod 82 is actuated so as to move the surface 78 to the left, that is, to a position inclined to the axis of shaft 31. At the same time, the corresponding cam mechanism on the other edge of the web is actuated in the opposite direction. The result is that the slat 43 is moved outwardly of. the expander roll 23 and its complementary slat is moved inwardly of roll 23, thereby restoring the web to its predetermined aligned path. Accordingly, by properly positioning the cam mechanisms, the web will be moved laterally so as to correct any misalignment.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the cam mechanism alternative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9. With reference to FIG. 14, the shaft 31 is fixed and the sleeve 91 is rotatable, so as to vary the inclination of cam faces 92 and 93 to define the channel 94. The rotation is achieved by a crank 95 mounted on the periphery of sleeve 91. The crank 95 in turn is operated through a pin 96 connected to a piston rod 97. The piston rod 97 is actuated by a cylinder such as an air or hydraulic cylinder 98. The cam sleeve 91 is freely rotatable on the shaft 31 and is maintained in position thereof by lock washers 99. In all other respects the mode of operation of the cam mechanism is essentially the same as described with reference to the cam mechanism of FIGS. 1-9.

Valves and cylinders such as valve 34 and cylinders 36 and 84, are well known and therefore detailed description is unnecessary. Such valves may be doubleacting or three-way air valves having gateswhich slide between two adjustable orifice screws. In this way, the valve can actuate a piston rod in two directions in response to sensing by the feeler fingers 35. Accordingly, helical springs and other return mechanisms are not essential although, for reasons of economy, they might be incorporated with one way or a single-action type valve. Likewise, the structure of the expandable slats is well known and therefore detailed description is not necessary.

A significant aspect of the invention is that the valves and cylinders are actuated not simply to cause expansion or contraction of the web but rather to move the web as a whole in one lateral direction or the other, and the correction is effected by the sensing of a deviation at either edge of the web. Power sources, whether electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic, are known which are useful in powering the valves and cylinders separately or together.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. In a web-guiding apparatus, the combination of:

a frame;

a shaft carried by said frame, said shaft having two independently rotatable portions;

a plurality of disks adapted to freely rotate about said shaft;

a plurality of pairs of slats for contact with a web,

wherein the slats in each pair are supported approximately end to end across the peripheries of said disks for rotation therewith, each slat being independently movable longitudinally of said shaft;

a cam follower mounted on each slat and projecting inwardly therefrom;

a rod-like support member carried by said frame;

sensing means adjustably mounted on said support member and adapted to sense deviations of the edges of said web from predetermined locations defining a passage for said web; and

a pair of circumferential cams, each portion of said shaft carrying one of said cams, each said cam having a circumferential channel for receiving said cam follower therein, said channel thereby defining a range of positions for said cam follower longitudinal of the axis of said shaft, each said cam being rotatable in response to said sensing by said sensing means, whereby said slats are movable by the cam followers through said range of positions to restore the edges of said web to said predetermined locations.

2. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cams are fixed to said shaft portions for rotation therewith, said apparatus further including drive means operatively connected one to each of said shaft portions for rotation thereof; each of said drive means being operatively responsive to said sensing by said sensing means.

3. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 2, wherein each of said drive means includes an air cylinder having a piston rod, and a crank on said shaft portion operatively connected to said piston rod.

4. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cams are freely rotatable on said shaft portions; said apparatus further including drive means operatively connected one to each of said cams for rotation thereof; each of said drive means bein operatively responsive to said sensing by said sensing means.

5. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 4, wherein each of said drive means includes an air cylinder having a piston rod, and a crank on said cam operatively connected to said piston rod.

6. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cams are fixed to said shaft portions for rotation therewith; and wherein a portion of one of the walls forming the sides of said channels in said cams is pivotally movable between a position inclined to the axis of said shaft and a position normal to the axis of said shaft, such that when said movable wall portion is in said normal position, the cam action of said cam follower in said channel is released.

7. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 6 further including means for biasing said movable wall portion in response to said sensing by said sensing means.

8. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said biasing means includes an air cylinder having a piston rod operatively connected to said movable wall portion.

9. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said biasing means further includes a lever arm operatively connecting said piston rod and said movable wall portion.

10. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 further including a cylindrical member adapted to freely rotate on said shaft, and wherein said disks are fixedly supported on said cylindrical member for rotation therewith.

11. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sup ort member comprisesa rod said rod carrying sliding rackets for mounting sai senslng means thereon, whereby said sensing means are displaceable on said rod for accommodation of webs of different widths.

12. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein 'said slats have means mounted thereon for gripping said web. 

1. In a web-guiding apparatus, the combination of: a frame; a shaft carried by said frame, said shaft having two independently rotatable portions; a plurality of disks adapted to freely rotate about said shaft; a plurality of pairs of slats for contact with a web, wherein the slats in each pair are supported approximately end to end across the peripheries of said disks for rotation therewith, each slat being independently movable longitudinally of said shaft; a cam follower mounted on each slat and projecting inwardly therefrom; a rod-like support member carried by said frame; sensing means adjustably mounted on said support member and adapted to sense deviations of the edges of said web from predetermined locations defining a passage for said web; and a pair of circumferential cams, each portion of said shaft carrying one of said cams, each said cam having a circumferential inclined channel for receiving said cam follower therein, said channel thereby defining a range of positions for said cam follower longitudinal of the axis of said shaft, each said cam being rotatable in response to said sensing by said sensing means, whereby said slats are movable by the cam followers through said range of positions to restore the edges of said web to said predetermined locations.
 2. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cams are fixed to said shaft portions for rotation therewith, said apparatus further including drive means operatively connected one to each of said shaft portions for rotation thereof; each of said drive means being operatively responsive to said sensing by said sensing means.
 3. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 2, wherein each of said drive means includes an air cylinder having a piston rod, and a crank on said shaft portion operatively connected to said piston rod.
 4. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cams are freely rotatable on said shaft portions; said apparatus further including drive means operatively connected one to each of said cams for rotation thereof; each of said drive means being operatively responsive to said sensing by said sensing means.
 5. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 4, wherein each of said drive means includes an air cylinder having a piston rod, and a crank on said cam operatively connected to said piston rod.
 6. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cams are fixed to said shaft portions for rotation therewith; and wherein a portion of one of the walls forming the sides of said channels in said cams is pivotally movable between a position inclined to the axis of said shaft and a position normal to the axis of said shaft, such that when said movable wall portion is in said normal position, the cam action of said cam follower in said channel is released.
 7. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 6 further including means for biasing said movable wall portion in response to said sensing by said sensing means.
 8. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said biasing means includes an air cylinder having a piston rod operatively connected to said movable wall portion.
 9. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said biasing means further includes a lever arm operatively connecting said piston roD and said movable wall portion.
 10. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 further including a cylindrical member adapted to freely rotate on said shaft, and wherein said disks are fixedly supported on said cylindrical member for rotation therewith.
 11. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said support member comprises a rod, said rod carrying sliding brackets for mounting said sensing means thereon, whereby said sensing means are displaceable on said rod for accommodation of webs of different widths.
 12. A web-guiding apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said slats have means mounted thereon for gripping said web. 